Youth group vows to get “Putin’s granny” out of psychiatric clinic

Activists from Nashi – a pro-Kremlin political youth movement – have stepped up their efforts to help Natalia Karpova, an 83-year old ardent admirer of Vladimir Putin, out of a mental institution.

Activists from Nashi – a pro-Kremlin political youth movement – have stepped up their efforts to help Natalia Karpova, an 83-year old ardent admirer of Vladimir Putin, out of a mental institution. Karpova has been admitted to “Kaschenko”, a notorious psychiatric hospital in Moscow, after stating that she had personally seen Prime Minister Putin at a national youth forum.

Karpova traveled to the forum in August to exhibit her artwork. Following her return, she told her friends at a nursing home about her purported encounter with Prime Minister Putin, who also happened to praise her art-piece.

Shortly after her story, Karpova was transferred to a mental facility. But Nashi youth activists allege that the real reason for Karpova’s institutionalization was her overzealous political activism.

In their official press release, Nashi activists describe Karpova as a respected and earnest member of her community. They also contend that Karpova did in fact encounter Prime Minister, and plan to provide evidence confirming the fact.

Nashists have also vowed to obtain an accurate medical diagnosis of Karpova’s mental condition, which could help the woman to be transferred back to her nursing home.